The Sidewinders
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Tucson , United States |
| Products | Albums, singles |
The Sidewinders, who later adopted the name Sand Rubies, were a rock group originating from Tucson. They produced two albums under major labels and secured two hits on US radio before a legal dispute necessitated a change in their band name. Despite nearing disbandment, they released another album on a major label and have undergone multiple cycles of reunions and breakups since then.
History
Established in the spring of 1985 by guitarist Rich Hopkins alongside vocalist David Slutes, The Sidewinders debuted with their album Cuacha! in 1988. They subsequently signed with RCA and Mammoth, putting out Witchdoctor in 1989 and Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall in 1990. The album Witchdoctor attained a peak position of No. 169 on the Billboard 200. In 1990, Mammoth/RCA released a promotional CD that included selections from Auntie Ramos, along with previously unreleased acoustic tracks and covers of songs originally by the band Love. Their rise was supported by two modern rock singles, appearances on MTV and VH1, and an international tour; however, legal complications soon interrupted their progress. In 1991, a band from North Carolina named Sidewinders filed suit over the use of the name, causing a two-year delay before they re-emerged as Sand Rubies.
Under the Sand Rubies name, they issued an album through Polydor and Atlas in 1993; notably, at one point, Pearl Jam served as their opening act. Nevertheless, ongoing legal difficulties triggered changes in personnel and ultimately led to the group's breakup during a 1993 tour—coinciding with the increasing popularity of other Arizona bands such as Gin Blossoms and The Refreshments.
Following intermittent performances between 1995 and 1996, an official Sand Rubies reunion was declared in October 1996. They appeared at SXSW in 1997 and released Return of the Living Dead in 1998. Operating independently, they compiled a best-of album covering their major-label period titled The Sidewinders Sessions, followed by an album entirely of cover songs, Release the Hounds, in 1999, which was accompanied by a European tour. The band disbanded once again but briefly reunited for local tours and special releases during 2001–02 and again in 2006. In 2011, they announced the definitive dissolution of both Sand Rubies and The Sidewinders.
A potential reunion took place at SXSW in March 2013 in Austin, Texas, featuring members Slutes, Hopkins, Andree, Gene Ruley on guitar, and George Duron on drums.
Members
- Rich Hopkins – Guitar
- Jonathan Frank – Drums
- David Slutes – Vocals
- Bruce Halper – Drums
- Mark Perrodin – Bass guitar
- Andrea Curtis – Drums
- Ken Andree – Bass guitar
- Phil Jones
Discography
Sidewinders
- Cuacha! (San Jacinto Records), 1987; reissued twice
- Witchdoctor (Mammoth Records/RCA Records), 1989
- 7 & 7 Is EP (Mammoth/RCA), 1990
- Do Not Play This Disc For Educational Purposes Only (Promo-only, Mammoth/RCA, 1990; seven tracks)
- Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall (Mammoth/RCA), 1990
- The Sidewinders Sessions (Contingency Records), 1998
Sand Rubies
- Goodbye EP (Polydor Records/Atlas Records), 1993
- Sand Rubies (Polydor Records/Atlas Records), 1993
- Sand Rubies Live (San Jacinto Records), 1996
- Return of the Living Dead (San Jacinto Records/Contingency Records), 1998
- Release the Hounds (San Jacinto Records/Contingency Records), 1999
- Goodbye: Live at Alte Malzerei (San Jacinto Records/Blue Rose Records), 2002
- Mas Cuacha (San Jacinto Records/Blue Rose Records), 2007
Charting singles
| Year | Title | US Modern Rock | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "Witch Doctor" | 18 | Witchdoctor |
| 1990 | "We Don't Do That Anymore" | 23 | Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall |